Experimental study of indoor air quality in two types of Norwegian houses heated by wood stove

摘要

Using wood stoves has a long tradition in Norway and other Nordic countries. In 2014, the total heat production from solid biomass (logs, pellets, chips) in the Nordic residential sector was 50 TWh. The individual consumption was 10/19/8/13 TWh, or 28/21/44/12% of the total gross inland bioenergy consumption, in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, respectively. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of wood stove operation on indoor air quality regarding particulate matter pollution. This study aims to discover possible problems regarding indoor air quality related to the usage of wood stoves in newly built (according to the Norwegian TEK10 standard) and older houses in Norway. Field measurements were carried out to measure peak, average and transient concentrations of particulate matter pollutants close to the stove opening as well as the corresponding concentrations in the room. The two types of Norwegian dwellings investigated were built according to different building standards, i.e. older houses with poor insulation and significant air leakage and a newly built one (TEK10) with better insulation and air tightness. The results show that particulate matter pollutants may be emitted during the period of light-up and refilling of the wood stove. This correspondingly may increase the concentrations in the room and deteriorate the indoor air quality. The emitted pollutants may be distributed further to other adjacent rooms in different zones with ventilation, or through doorways.